Hygienic Cover for a Handbag

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a protective cover ( 1 ) for a handbag, comprising a flexible wrapping element ( 2 ) and means ( 3 ) for closing said wrapping element ( 2 ) around said handbag, said wrapping element ( 2 ) comprising an internal surface ( 21 ) that comes into contact with said handbag, an external surface ( 22 ), and means for storing said cover, said storing means comprising a first pocket ( 4 ) arranged on said external surface ( 22 ) and a second pocket ( 5 ) arranged on said internal surface ( 21 ).

SUBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective cover for a handbag.

STATE OF THE ART

The protection of everyday life objects against bad weather or against any kind of soiling is a daily preoccupation for a large number of people, notably for reasons of hygiene, whether the object is clean and the desire is to protect it from soiling, such as, for example, from mud, dust or microbes, or whether the object is dirty and the other objects which could come into contact with the soiled object must be protected.

Among numerous possibilities, the use of protective covers is well known for any object which can potentially soil or be soiled, including, as examples, clothes, bedding, car seats, cellphones, baggage and handbags.

In particular, with regard to handbags, women are only rarely separated from them and carry them with them to the office, in the car, to public toilets. Then, on returning home, most women place their handbag on the kitchen table or on the work surface, which poses obvious hygiene problems.

It is well known that microbiological tests, performed on handbags, have revealed that most of said bags were generally carriers of pathogenic bacteria, such as salmonella or staphylococcus aureus, which can lead to gastro-intestinal problems or food poisoning.

This hygiene problem becomes all the more of a preoccupation when there are potentially multiple sources of contamination in places such as public toilets.

Furthermore, it is also desirable to protect the handbags because, more than a simple practical accessory, they are also luxury objects, as much for their aesthetics as for the materials from which they are made.

Nevertheless, it is generally accepted that it is difficult to correctly protect a handbag from soiling or bad weather, above all in the situations where the handbag encumbers the hands and has to be placed on the ground or on soiled or damp surfaces.

The document US2008264531 describes a protective cover for handbags, comprising at least one elastic strip encircling said cover, and which contains all of the bag to be protected, apart from the handles, or straps, that are used to transport it. Nevertheless, such a cover presents the drawback, not only of concealing the external aesthetics of the bag to be protected, but also of not allowing access to the pockets or external compartments which may be present on the walls of the handbag. Furthermore, such a cover also presents the drawback of being bulky to store, or to transport, when it is not in use.

AIMS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a solution which does not present the drawbacks of the prior art.

It aims to provide an alternative to the prior art solutions.

It aims to provide a protective cover for a handbag which is inexpensive, easy to store before and after use, easy to set up, and which can be adapted to any type and any size of handbag.

Furthermore, it aims to provide protection for the bottom portion of a handbag when the latter is placed on soiled or damp surfaces.

It also aims to provide protection which allows easy access to the handbag to be protected, and to what it contains, either within the handbag itself or within pockets or compartments arranged on the outside of said bag.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a protective cover for a handbag comprising a flexible wrapping element and means for closing the wrapping element around the handbag, the wrapping element comprising an internal surface, which comes into contact with the handbag, an external surface, and means for storing the cover, the storage means comprising a first pocket arranged on said external surface and a second pocket arranged on said internal surface.

According to particular embodiments, the protective cover comprises one or any combination of several of the following characteristics:

the end of the pocket arranged on the external surface of the wrapping element, and the end of the pocket arranged on the internal surface of the wrapping element, form an opening which opens onto the opening of said protective cover, the wrapping element is made of a biodegradable material, the wrapping element is made of an elastic material, the wrapping element is made of an impermeable material, the wrapping element is a plastic film, a non-woven fabric, or a woven fabric based on synthetic and/or natural fibers, the closure means are arranged on the periphery and at the edge of the wrapping element, the closure means comprise a seam containing a drawstring and an opening through which said drawstring exits, the closure means are elastic means, the wrapping element comprises a seam, or a piping, in which passes an elastic, the tension of which enables said wrapping element to be adapted to and correctly held on all handbags, the wrapping element has a height corresponding to half the height of the handbag to be protected, the wrapping element has a height corresponding to a third of the height of the handbag to be protected, the wrapping element has a height corresponding to a quarter of the height of the handbag to be protected, the protective cover comprises a second wrapping element and means for storing and/or dispensing the second wrapping element.

The present invention also describes the use of the protective cover according to the invention, to protect the bottom portion of a handbag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a side view of the protective cover according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the protective cover according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of a plan view of the protective cover according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the overlap element before the protective cover according to the invention is made.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the overlap element in a step of the making of the protective cover according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of the overlap element folded in the external pocket with a view to its use a) or in the internal pocket once the overlap element has been used b).

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the protective cover unfolded and ready for use.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the protective cover during use.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of a perspective view of the protective cover whose wrapping element has been reversed after use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The protective cover 1 for a handbag according to the invention comprises a wrapping element 2 which comprises an internal surface 21 which comes into contact with the handbag to be protected, and an external surface 22.

The wrapping element 2 can be of any suitable form. It may be, for example, square, rectangular (FIG. 1), cylindrical (FIG. 2), ovoid or elliptical (FIG. 3).

The wrapping element 2 is a flexible wrap made of any suitable material.

Preferably, the wrapping element 2 is made of a biodegradable material.

Preferably, the wrapping element 2 is made of an elastic material.

Preferably, the wrapping element 2 is made of an impermeable material.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wrapping element 2 is entirely made of an impermeable material.

The wrapping element 2 may be a plastic film, a non-woven fabric, or a fabric based on synthetic and/or natural fibers. Preferably, the wrapping element 2 has a thickness of 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

The wrapping element 2 may be formed of a single piece, or be formed by the association of a number of pieces of woven or non-woven fabric elements.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bottom portion of the wrapping element 2 comprises at least one layer of an impermeable material. Preferably, the external surface 22 of the bottom portion of the wrapping element 2 is covered by an impermeable material.

Preferably, the wrapping element 2 comprises a number of woven or non-woven fabric elements, one of which, which can advantageously be made of paper for example, is attached to the protective cover 1, but may be separated therefrom in order to be disposed of after use.

The protective cover 1 for a handbag according to the invention also comprises means 3 for closing said wrapping element 2, arranged on the periphery and at the edge of the wrapping element 2. The closure means 3 enable the wrapping element 2 to form a pocket comprising an opening 23. The protective cover 1 is threaded around the handbag to be protected through said opening 23, said handbag to be protected being housed in the pocket formed by the wrapping element 2.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure means 3 comprise a seam 30 containing a drawstring 32 which can be used to tighten the protective cover 1 around the handbag to be protected, said seam 30 also having an opening 31 through which said drawstring 32 exits (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). This embodiment is particularly preferred for the protective covers for small handbags.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure means 3 are elastic means (FIG. 3). The closure means 3 comprise a seam 30, or a piping, in which passes an elastic, the tension of which enables said wrapping element 2 to be adapted to and correctly held on all handbags.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the closure means 3 comprise a drawstring 32 and an elastic which pass into the same seam 30, or piping, in order to best adjust the protective cover 1 to the handbag. This embodiment is particularly preferred for the protective covers for small handbags.

The size of the wrapping element 2, and therefore of the pocket that it forms, is such that it enables the bottom portion of a handbag (FIG. 8) to be covered, preferably the bottom half of the handbag, advantageously the bottom third of the handbag, even more advantageously the bottom quarter of the handbag.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the wrapping element 2 measures 60 cm long by 10 cm wide.

Nevertheless, the wrapping element 2, made of an elastic material, enables the protective cover 1 to be adapted to any type of handbag, conventionally handbags that have a size ranging from 20 to 50 cm long, 5 to 20 cm wide and 10 to 30 cm high.

The protective cover 1 also comprises means for storing said cover 1, said storage means comprise a first pocket 4, arranged on the external surface 22 of the wrapping element 2, and opening toward the outside of the protective cover 1, and a second pocket 5 arranged on the internal surface 21 of the wrapping element 2 and opening toward the interior of the protective cover 1.

The first pocket 4 and the second pocket 5 extend in the median portion of the cover 1. The top end of each of the pockets 4 and 5 forms, preferably, an opening that opens onto the opening 23 of the protective cover 1.

Preferably, the pockets 4 and 5 for storing the protective cover 1 have a size such that they can contain said cover 1. As an example for a protective cover 1 comprising a wrapping element 2 that has a size of approximately 60 cm long by approximately 10 cm wide, the pockets 4 and 5 have a width of between 5 and 20 cm, a length of between 8 and 20 cm, for a depth of 3 to 10 cm.

The first pocket 4 and the second pocket 5 are made of any suitable material, preferably made of a flexible material, advantageously made of the same material, or an assembly of materials, as that or those of the wrapping element 2.

The protective cover 1 according to the invention may also comprise a second wrapping element for protecting the first wrapping element 2, which may be attached, or not, to the first wrapping element 2. This embodiment of the protective cover 1 according to the invention is particularly advantageous in the case where the wrapping element 2 comprises one or more woven or non-woven fabric elements which are not impermeable.

Preferably, the second wrapping element is partially or entirely made of any suitable impermeable material.

Preferably, the second wrapping element has a size that is substantially identical to, or advantageously less than, that of the wrapping element in order to protect the bottom portion of the wrapping element 2.

Preferably, the second wrapping element comprises closure means which enable it to be tightened around the first wrapping element 2 and thus around the bag to be protected. These closure means are preferably arranged on the periphery and at the edge of the second wrapping element.

The protective cover 1 also comprises means for storing and/or dispensing the second wrapping element. These storage means may comprise a pocket comprising a single second wrapping element, attached to the first wrapping element, a pocket which enables it to be stored and reused. Said storage means may also comprise a number of second wrapping elements that are not attached and are disposable, the storage means thus also serving as dispensing means. These storage means may also comprise closure means, for example a zip fastener.

As an example, the protective cover 1 according to the invention may be made from a piece of polyester fabric, of rectangular shape measuring 88 cm long by 36 cm wide (FIG. 4). The external pocket 4 is arranged on the face of the fabric intended to become the surface 22, and the pocket 5 is arranged on the face of the fabric intended to become the surface 21.

Preferably, the pockets 4 and 5 are arranged symmetrically, on either side of the axis A-B, as illustrated in FIG. 4, with their opening directed toward the end of the piece of fabric intended to form the opening 23 of the protective cover 1. The piece of fabric is folded into two in the lengthwise direction, along the axis A-B, then the sides are sewn. Said sides of the wrapping element 2 are then cut along the axes C-D and E-F (FIG. 5) and the duly created edges are sewn to form a rounded edge. The seam 30 (illustrated by the dotted lines in FIGS. 4 and 5) is then sewn, then a drawstring 32, or an elastic, is threaded into the seam 30. In the case of a drawstring, an opening, or buttonhole, is formed in the seam 30 in order to allow the drawstring 32 which will be used to tighten the cover around the handbag to be protected to exit.

In another embodiment of the protective cover 1, the first pocket 4 and the second pocket 5 for storing the cover are sewn on the surfaces 21 and 22 after the cover 1 is formed, but before the closure means are made.

The protective cover 1 according to the invention is intended for temporary use and is not intended to permanently cover the handbag to be protected.

Before its use, the protective cover 1 according to the invention is folded into the first pocket 4 which is external, which enables it to be carried in a handbag with a minimum of bulk (FIG. 6, a)). To protect the handbag, all it takes is to remove the cover 1 from its first pocket 4, to unfold it (FIG. 7), and to thread it around the bottom portion of the handbag (FIG. 8). The duly protected handbag can be placed on the ground or on any damp and/or soiled surface. It is then sufficient to remove the cover 1, and reverse the wrapping element 2 for the soiled external surface then to be inside the cover 1 (FIG. 9), thus holding the soiling captive inside the cover 1. The cover 1 is then folded into the second pocket 5, which was internal and which has become external, and the cover 1 can then be stored in the handbag (FIG. 6, b)), with a minimum of bulk, thus enabling the soiling not to soil the objects already present in the handbag. 

1. A protective cover (1) for a handbag comprising a flexible wrapping element (2) and means (3) for closing said wrapping element (2) around said handbag, said wrapping element (2) comprising an internal surface (21) which comes into contact with said handbag, an external surface (22), and means for storing said cover (1), said storage means comprising a first pocket (4) arranged on said external surface (22) and a second pocket (5) arranged on said internal surface (21).
 2. The protective cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the end of the pocket (4) arranged on the external surface (22) of the wrapping element (2) and the end of the pocket (5) arranged on the internal surface (21) of the wrapping element (2) form an opening which opens onto the opening (23) of said protective cover (1).
 3. The protective cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping element (2) is made of a biodegradable material.
 4. The protective cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping element (2) is made of an elastic material.
 5. The protective cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping element (2) is made of an impermeable material.
 6. The protective cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping element (2) is a plastic film, a non-woven fabric, or a woven fabric based on synthetic and/or natural fibers.
 7. The protective cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closure means (3) are arranged on the periphery and at the edge of the wrapping element (2).
 8. The protective cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closure means (3) comprise a seam (30) containing a drawstring (32) and an opening (31) through which said drawstring (32) exits.
 9. The protective cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the closure means are elastic means.
 10. The protective cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping element (2) comprises a seam (30), or a piping, wherein passes an elastic, the tension of which enables said wrapping element to be adapted to and correctly held on all handbags.
 11. The protective cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping element (2) has a height corresponding to half the height of the handbag to be protected.
 12. The protective cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping element (2) has a height corresponding to a third of the height of the handbag to be protected.
 13. The protective cover (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wrapping element (2) has a height corresponding to a quarter of the height of the handbag to be protected.
 14. The protective cover (1) according to claim 1, also comprising a second wrapping element and means for storing and/or dispensing said second wrapping element.
 15. The use of the protective cover (1) according to claim 1, to protect the bottom portion of a handbag. 